So Much For State Transparency

The Mackinac Center Legal Foundation filed its latest lawsuit related to government transparency, suing the state after the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs refused to provide public documents.

“Gov. Whitmer came into office promising transparency, even signing an executive order for state agencies to force them to better comply with the law,” said Derk Wilcox, senior attorney at the Mackinac Center Legal Foundation. “But LARA has refused for months to comply with one simple request.”

On May 13, the Mackinac Center requested files related to an individual licensed by the state. LARA said they would respond by June 5. More than two months later, the agency has not provided the documents and ignored a follow-up response.

This is the latest in lawsuits related to government transparency filed by the Mackinac Center. Successful lawsuits resulting in public documents being released and/or legal fees being paid by the public entity include:

• Wayne State University paying thousands for ignoring multiple Freedom of Information Act requests.

• The state of Michigan for taking months to provide documents related to the reassignment of employees involved in the Flint water crisis.

• The University of Michigan for refusing for 100 days to provide just a few documents regarding U-M President Mark Schlissel discussing President Donald Trump.

• The city of Westland requiring upfront funds and $1 per printed page for documents regarding government spending on a public golf course.

Laws requiring public bodies to provide public records are a fundamental element of making government transparent to the people. It is unfortunate that so many public entities in Michigan make light of these laws, but the Mackinac Center will continue to fight to make government bodies comply and defend the right of the public to hold its government accountable.